Béquignol Blanc, a delicate variety worth watching

Béquignol Blanc is a natural mutation of Béquignol Noir, demonstrating the vine's remarkable capacity for evolution. Long forgotten, it was rediscovered by chance in a parcel in Rions and added to the collection at Vassal in 1953, safeguarding it as part of our viticultural heritage. Its recent rediscovery at Château Mémoires in 2021, nestled within a parcel of Sémillon, confirms its unsuspected presence in the vineyard and its potential resilience.

This low-yielding grape variety requires cane pruning (long pruning) to express its aromatic richness—an ancestral viticultural practice focused on quality rather than yield. It is also distinguished by its notable resistance to downy mildew, a major asset for sustainable viticulture that reduces treatments, despite its susceptibility to powdery mildew. These characteristics make it a fascinating variety to reintroduce into the Bordeaux viticultural landscape, particularly for adapting to climate change in Bordeaux.

Béquignol, in its various forms, was mentioned as early as the 18th century by authors such as Georges Bord and, notably, Jean-Baptiste de Secondat. In his 1785 memoirs, the latter described the grape varieties he observed, classifying them into red and white, and into round-berried varieties. He made particular reference to the "petit Bequin, en Terrefort", testifying to the antiquity and local roots of this family of grape varieties. It is within this historical context that the rediscovery and study of the Béquignol Gris grape variety also belongs. The history of the Bordeaux vineyard is brimming with treasures like the Sauternes grape variety, which equally illustrates this richness. The Melon grape variety is another example of these historic varieties that we are working to revive.

Ampelographic profile

Characteristic	Description
Budburst	Early, around 1 day after Chasselas, making it susceptible to spring frosts.
Ripening	Period II (around 10 days after Chasselas), offering an extended window for aromatic development.
Vigour	Moderate.
Growth habit	Semi-erect.
Yield	Low.
Downy mildew susceptibility	Resistant.
Powdery mildew susceptibility	Susceptible.
Aromatic profile	High-quality aromatic potential.
Winemaking potential	Aromatic, dry white wines.

At Château Cazebonne, we are committed to replanting these grape varieties that had vanished from the Bordeaux landscape, and Béquignol Blanc holds a prominent place in this preservation and revival initiative. This meticulous work is made possible thanks to the invaluable support of the many wine lovers who have embraced our wines and share our passion for rediscovering Bordeaux's viticultural heritage. The Baroque grape variety, like Béquignol Blanc, is one of these ancient varieties that we strive to bring back to prominence. The Jurançon Blanc grape variety is another fine example, as is the Ondenc grape variety. To explore the outcome of this approach and taste our cuvées crafted from these rediscovered varieties, we invite you to visit the Cazebonne shop. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history, Jean-Baptiste Duquesne has published the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", available to download digitally, and you can test your knowledge via our wine quizzes.